Optical instrument



June 12, 1923.

F. L. G. KOLLMORGEN OPTICAL INSTRUMENT Filed May 2, 1919 WIT- ATTORNEYS.

Patented June 12, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OPTICAL INSTRUMENT.

Application filed May 2, 1919. Serial No. 294,147.

To (aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK L. G. KoLL- MORGEN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Mountain Lakes, county of Morris, and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Optical Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to focusin devices for optical instruments and particularly for use with periscopes such as used on submarines.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a focusing device or eyepiece for periscopcs which device is sealed in the periscope tube proper and will be at all times air and dust-tight thereby preventing the damp air in the submarine from enteringthe periscope tube and condensing upon the lenses contained therein and forming a part of the eyepiece.

Another object of the invention is to provide a periscope with a focusing device or eye-piece movable within the tube of the periscopc together with an eyeguard exterior or the periscope, the focusing device or eye piece and the guard being so connected to each other as to be always maintained in the same relative position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a perisccpe tube with an adjustable eye guard and means which are readily removable for adjusting the eye-piece or focusing device within the periscope tube so that the periscope tube may readily be placed in its bearings without the admission of air or moisture to the interior of the tube.

Other objects of the invention will be manifest from the following description and from the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a cross sectional View of the lower end of the periscope embodying the present invention; and

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the same.

The field lens of the eye-piece is desig nated 1 and this lens together with reflector 2 and eye-lens 3 positioned as shown in Fig. l are mounted in a casing 4. This casing has secured to the lower end thereof a tubular support 5 and to the lower end of the casting 6 closing the periscope proper 6 is secured a cylindrical base 7 telescoped by the support 5 already referred to and acting as means for guiding the support 5 when the same is moved vertically of the periscope tube 6 for the purpose of adjusting the focus of the periscope. If desired a spring 8 may be provided for sustaining the support 5.

The support 5 is provided with a key 9 cooperating with a key-way 10 in the tubular support 7 whereby vertical movement of the support 5 is permitted and rotation of the. same upon the tubular support 7 is prevented. A ack 11 is secured to the support 5 and engages a pinion 12 mounted upon a short shaft 13 maintained air and dust-tight in the bottom casting 6 of the periscope by a stufling box 14. A pinion 15 in alinement with the pinion 12 is provided, this pinion being maintained in place by a bearing 16 and a screw 17 passing through the pinion, the inner end'of this screw passing to the interior of the shaft 13. The inner end of the hub of the pinion 15 00- operates with the end of the shaft 13 so that relative rotation of the two members is prevented. A knob 18 through which passes the screw 17 already referred is secured to the pinion 15 by suitable screws 19. The pinion 15 engages a rack 20 which is exterior of the periscope bottom casting 6 and which rack is connected to an eye-guard carrier 21, carrying an eye-guard 22 which eyeguard carrier is mounted in suitable guide ways 23. By this construction rotation of the knob 18 will impart rotary motion to the pinions 15 and 1:2 simultaneously to cause the eye-piece comprising the lenses 1 and 3 and reflector 2 together with the eyeguard 22 to move vertically in the periscope tube 6 simultaneously and at the same speed. v

A window 24 is mounted in the wall of the periscope tube 6 to the rear of the eye guard 22. This window is maintained in place air and dust-tight by means of screws 25 and bezel 26 and packing 27 and 28.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a construction wherein the tube within which the eye-piece is adjust ably mounted will always be maintained air and dust-tight and wherein the eyeguard which is mounted at the outside of the tube will always be automatically maintained in proper relation to the eye lens of the eye-piece when the latter is adjusted for focusing the instrument.

It will be seen also that I have provided a construction whereby the eye-piece or f0- cusing device of the instrumentmay be adjusted from outside the main tube, the adjusting device being supported in place in such a manner that moisture and dirt cannot enter the tube.

It is to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the precise details otcon-,

struction herein disclosed and described as other means could be provided for adjust ing the eye-piece or focusing device with out departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. 7 7

It is obvious that a periscope could be made without the exterior adjustment herein shown; and that if desired the eye-guard carrier could be conveniently provided with ray filters; viz.; colored glasses for the purpose of obliterating the haze and glare'at sea.

It is further obvious that if desired the eye-guard and ray filter could be arranged to be moved independently of the interior eye-piece.

\Vhat Iclaim is:

1. In a focusing device for optical instruments, the combination of a tube, an eyepiece sealed Within said tube, said eye-piece comprising an eye lens, a window in said tube opposite the eye lens of the eyepiece, and focusing means exterior of the tube for moving the eye-piece relatively to the tube and to said Window.

2. An eye-piece for optical instruments sealed within a tube, means exterior of the 1 tube for moving the eye-piece relatively thereto, a window in said tube opposite the and means for automatically maintaining the eye-guard in proper relation to the eyelens of the eye-piece while moving the latter into desired position.

411 111 a focusing device for optical instruments, a tube, an eye-piece sealed within said tube, focusing means for actuating the eyepiece relatively to the tube without breaking the hermetic seal of the tube and a Window in said tube behind which. the eyepiece is moved in the focusing of the device.

In a Iocusmg device the combination of an eye-piece for optical instruments comprising a field lens, a reflector and an eye lens, and means fornioving saideye-piece as a unit within a sealed periscope tube for focusing the device without breaking the hermetic seal of the tube.

This specification signed and witnessed this 30th day of April, A. D. 1-919.

FREDERICK L. o. KOLLMORGEN. 

